Matilda's later life: supporting Henry II | History | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Match the keyword to the correct definition.
- civil war
  
  ⇔
  
  a war between citizens of the same country ✓
- besieged
  
  ⇔
  
  somewhere that it is being surrounded by people trying to capture it ✓
- usurper
  
  ⇔
  
  somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so ✓
- anarchy
  
  ⇔
  
  an absence of government and order in society ✓
Put the following events of the Anarchy in chronological order.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  Empress Matilda made her way to England
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  the Battle of Lincoln
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  Empress Matilda was forced to leave London by a mob
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  the Siege of Oxford
In which ways was Matilda considered to be a successful ruler at the time?
- She gave her supporters lands and titles. ✓
- She was forceful and strong-willed.
- Many of her loyal supporters were also effective soldiers. ✓
- She had experience in managing the affairs of the Holy Roman Empire. ✓
Who was one of Empress Matilda's most important supporters?
- her half-brother, Robert of Gloucester ✓
- the pope
- Queen Matilda of Boulogne
- Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor
Complete the following sentence: The Rout of ______ resulted in the destruction of much of Matilda's forces, as well as the capture of Robert of Gloucester.
- 'Winchester' ✓
How was Queen Matilda of Boulogne, Stephen's wife, important during the Anarchy?
- She refused to surrender and instead took command of Stephen’s forces. ✓
- She rescued him from imprisonment in Bristol Castle.
- She and her followers reclaimed London after the mob removed Empress Matilda. ✓
- She renewed Henry of Blois’ allegiance. ✓

Exit quiz

What keyword describes a formal agreement between two countries?
- 'treaty' ✓
Why was Matilda forced to relocate to Normandy in 1148?
- She was bored of fighting and wanted to return.
- She was forced into exile by Stephen.
- Her most important supporters had died. ✓
- She needed a break from fighting and a holiday.
Why did tensions in the civil war reduce in the 1140s?
- Matilda was now out of the country. ✓
- Many of the barons had grown tired of the constant fighting. ✓
- Matilda and Stephen asked the public to stop fighting.
- Many barons began making individual peace treaties. ✓
- The pope called for a Second Crusade. ✓
What was the name of Matilda's eldest son?
- 'Henry' ✓
What was the name of Stephen's son who he had tried repeatedly to have crowned alongside him in order to secure the succession?
- Ranulf
- Eustace ✓
- Brian
- Robert
What happened in October 1154?
- Stephen's son died removing an obstacle to the end of the civil war.
- Stephen died allowing a peaceful succession for a new king. ✓
- Matilda died allowing a peaceful succession for a new king.

Worksheet

Loading worksheet ...

Presentation

Loading presentation ...

Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

Matilda’s son, Henry 'FitzEmpress', launched military campaigns in England after Matilda relocated to Normandy.
Matilda and Stephen ended the Anarchy by agreement in the Treaty of Wallingford.
Stephen agreed Matilda's son Henry would inherit the throne after his death, which led to a peaceful succession.
Matilda retired to Normandy but continued to advise Henry II on matters of government.
Matilda's later life can be studied by historians interested in the political role played by elite medieval women.

Common misconception

Barons must obey the their monarch's orders.

Although this is true in theory, in reality the barons and their monarch worked as a partnership: the monarch relied upon the barons and if they weren't doing a good enough job, they could expect to lose the support of their barons.

Keywords

Treaty - a treaty is a formal agreement between two countries